Are you and your kids ready for spring? Silly question, of course you are!

The first day of spring, also known as the spring equinox, is technically next Tuesday, March 20, but at the Mitchell Park Domes, they've waited long enough for spring to come, and are celebrating a few days early.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 18, the annual spring equinox celebration will take place at the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd.

There will be plenty of family-friendly activities for kids to enjoy, including looking through telescopes, going on a scavenger hunt and enjoying entertainment from Dairyland's Finest String Band. According to the Domes' interpretive educator Paula Zamiatowski, "last year, the kids were dancing away!"

And, although the cool factor of seeing all these spiders and snakes is worth the trip all by itself, the event also provides a pretty great learning opportunity as well.

"My objective with all the animals on display is to remind all our visitors of the world around them and how amazing it is for us to be a part of it," Zamiatowski said. "Families will learn about the extensive husbandry that goes into caring for these still-wild animals and think twice about having them in their homes."

Milwaukee's Central Library will have fun activities during spring break week, including an engineering challenge from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, March 26. Your kids can see what they can build out of simple materials like rubber bands and craft sticks.
Georgijevic, Getty Images

Your kids can learn to fish, play games and see animals during the Urban Ecology Center's spring break nature exploration camp from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 26-30.
Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

If you're in the mood to celebrate Easter during spring break, you can head out to the Milwaukee County Zoo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 31 for an egg hunt, and Easter Bunny visit and parade.
Karen Sherlock

Another fun way to celebrate the season is to build your own creation out of marshmallow Peeps at Tippecanoe Library on Tuesday, March 27 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Sarah Hauer / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel